Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Roasting Company, located at 1 University Plaza in Brooklyn, received a score of 85 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 20, 2026. The score places the coffee and tea establishment well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation, with inspectors documenting three critical violations and one non-critical violation during the visit.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified three critical food safety violations at the University Plaza location.
Inspectors cited the establishment for holding cold Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food items above the required 41°F threshold. Under NYC health regulations, cold TCS foods — including items such as dairy products, prepared salads, and cut fruits — must be maintained at or below 41°F to prevent bacterial growth. Smoked or processed fish must be held at or below 38°F, and intact raw eggs at or below 45°F. The violation indicates that one or more of these temperature requirements was not being met at the time of inspection.
A second critical violation noted that the establishment lacked sufficient or adequate cold holding, hot holding, or cold storage equipment to maintain TCS foods at required temperatures. This suggests that beyond individual food items being out of temperature compliance, the equipment infrastructure itself was found to be inadequate for proper food storage.
The third critical violation documented that no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). New York City requires that every food service establishment have at least one supervisory staff member who has completed an approved food protection course and holds a current certificate. The FPC requirement ensures that someone on-site has formal training in safe food handling, allergen awareness, and contamination prevention.
Inspectors also recorded one non-critical violation related to missing required signage, including the "Choking first aid" poster and the "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, along with the absence of posted resuscitation equipment information.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control is one of the most fundamental components of food safety regulation. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes specific temperature thresholds for the storage and handling of TCS foods, consistent with the FDA Food Code guidelines. When cold foods are held above required temperatures, conditions become favorable for the rapid multiplication of harmful bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
The Food Protection Certificate requirement, codified in NYC Health Code §81.15, exists to ensure that at least one trained individual is present during food operations who can identify and correct potential food safety hazards. The absence of a certified supervisor represents a gap in the oversight structure that food safety regulations are designed to maintain.
Inspection History
Brooklyn Roasting Company's prior inspection record at this location includes:
- September 9, 2024: Score of 7 (Grade A)
The previous Grade A score indicates the establishment had maintained a strong compliance record, with a score well within the 0-13 point range for an A designation. The jump from a score of 7 to 85 represents a significant change in compliance standing. It should be noted that inspection scores reflect conditions observed on a specific date and can vary between visits based on numerous factors.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- A: 0-13 points — Establishment meets high standards of food safety compliance
- B: 14-27 points — Some violations identified that require correction
- C: 28 or more points — Significant violations documented; establishment may be subject to additional inspections
A score of 85 falls substantially above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Restaurants that receive initial scores in the B or C range are typically offered a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to demonstrate corrected conditions and potentially receive a lower score and higher grade.
All NYC restaurant inspection results are public record and can be reviewed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can verify current grades and review detailed inspection histories for any food service establishment in New York City.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Brooklyn Roasting Company including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.